Packed with history City boasts largest historic district in state with 303 properties

Tuesday

Jan 21, 2014 at 3:15 AM

By Crystal A. Weyerscweyers@fosters.com

SOMERSWORTH — A survey has been completed updating the city’s information on its downtown historic district, which is the largest historic district in the state of New Hampshire.

The update of the Historic District Survey was made possible by more than $100,000 in grants from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources and contains historical photos and property details, as well as updated photos, of each of the downtown’s 303 historic properties.

The last time the survey was done was in 1986. This time around, it was done in five phases over the past eight years, starting in 2006.

“It’s a massive undertaking” said Economic Director Christine Soutter. “The project lasted for a number of years and there are numerous binders here in the office with all of the information for each and every property located in the historic district.”

The properties are all located solely in the city’s downtown area and include both homes and businesses.

The survey provides an updated inventory with historical significance of each included property to better help the Historic District Commission “make better informed decisions on any alterations of these buildings,” according to a press release.

Director of Planning and Community Development Dave Sharples said in the release, “The City wants to maintain the integrity of the homes that carry a significant historical value while not adding undue burdens on the homes that are in the district yet do not carry the same value.”

Chair of the Historic District Commission George Poulin said in the release, “The survey has been a long time in the works and it will definitely go a long way to Preserve our historic district.”

Sharples noted the NH Division of Historical Resources was “great to work with, committed to what they do and helpful every step of the way.”